For The Famiglia: Arranged Devotion (Complete)

Perfect Spirit

It was bad I knew it was bad, we left quickly after my father spoke with the man I met on the balcony and his face had turned to stone. It wasn't often I saw my father angry but at the moment he was fuming and we all remained in complete silence, I knew I was in for a scolding when we returned to the hotel and I was right. As soon as the door to the suite closed my father's face was practically red in fury “Fratello Mio, calm down” my aunt attempted to help her dark eyes concentrating on my father who had begun pacing the carpet at his pace and rage it seemed like he would burn through the carpet.

“How! How can I calm down! My daughter, my Bambina didn't listen to the one thing, the one thing we discussed going in there. I know it has been a few years since we have been to a formal social event but you should still take the rules seriously, Catarina. You are not a small child anymore and...” he groaned shaking his head continuing to pace the floor.

“You're sixteen and a lot of men wouldn't view you a child anymore” my aunt attempted to say more delicately it was clear my father wouldn't be able to explain it.

“Papa...” I sighed not even sure what to say. I know I screwed up and we aren't in a world where we could take those sort of risks. Keeping face is all that mattered in social situations.

“I don't want to hear it. Do you have any idea what you've done?” my father’s eyes were on me. The usual adoring gaze that it held was replaced with concern and frustration.

“Spoke out of turn to one of the men from New York” I didn’t want to mention the part of the man mentioning I should meet someone hoping my disinterest dismissed him and that he only went to speak to father about my endless chattering after all the man did warn me about if perhaps there was some hope.

“That wasn’t just any man, Catarina that was Enzio Damiani as in ‘the scythe of New York’” father accentuated his nickname. I thought it was lame but it was given to him because it was made known if he touched you, you would die.

“I didn’t know” that was all I could say there was no way I could apologise enough for being my mouthy self in front of the head of New York even if Enzio didn’t seem to mind.

“We know you didn’t know” aunt Patrizia attempted to calm me frankly it was weird to see our usual dynamics switched father was always usually the good cop defending me while Aunt Patrizia scolded me.

“I can... I can apologise to him if it will help” I couldn’t think of anything else I knew it wouldn’t help and frankly it was pointless however it was all I could think to say standing across from my father with his scrutinising gaze on me.

“It won’t help” he laughed to himself, it was humourless, however “he likes you, Catarina. Said you had the perfect spirit” the words were practically spat out with bitterness in my father's tone.

“Perfect spirit?” I questioned it was something you would say to someone when they were interested in a job.

“Yes, he seems you would be a perfect fit into their family...” he raked his fingers through his slicked-back hair the usually neat dark waves now falling into a mess “he wants you to marry his son” I felt the colour drain from my face and my heart raced so fast it was thundering in my ears at my father's words.

“She can’t be married to that man, Arnaldo,” Patrizia said firmly wrapping her arm suddenly protectively around my shoulders.

“What can I do? Enzio thinks Catarina is the perfect match for his son. Clever and beautiful he said it was the perfect combination” father sighed once again.

“Tell him it was just well-placed makeup and I’m incredibly ugly. does he want ugly grandchildren?” I blurted out in a panic.

“Catarina, you know that’s not how it works. I can’t turn down New York. It would cause a lot of unpleasantness if I turned them away” he tried to explain

“But you’re willing to accept how unpleasant it is for me” the reality of my father's promise was coming on suddenly a promise he couldn’t keep and shouldn’t have made.

“Catarina—“ I could see the pity he had for me and I had to turn away but focusing on my aunt wasn’t much better.

“He is twenty-three years old already a man, Catarina is still a child” my aunts hold around me tightened almost painfully but it was only her worry that made her tighten her grip.

“You know better than anyone age doesn’t matter in this world” father didn’t mean to but it was a cheap shot at her own experience one which was rarely brought up.

“This can’t be happening... Our little Catarina to be married to that... That monster...” Patrizia spat the words in disgust.

“Careful what you say, Triz” father warned.

“They aren’t even here, Arnaldo and it’s true. You’ve heard the stories I may be a woman but I have ears. The brutality of that man. Do you want that for your daughter? Our Bambina?” Patrizia was practically shouted which was an odd sight. She was always a reserved woman.

“What would you have me do? Montrel already thinks it’s a good idea” that was already a bad sign since Montrel was fathers boss and the boss of New Orleans “I can’t go against him or New York, it would be a death sentence you know that. You know how careful we have to play these situations. Montrel has only sons and so does Enzio. Montrel has secured with Chicago and Cleveland with his boys Enzio is securing Las Vegas and if Montrel was to agree to this it would put a foot in the door to New York” father explained it so as though it was merely a business transaction and not my life that was going to be put on the line in this

deal.

“Papa...” I began but I didn’t know what to follow with. Pleading, begging I had never done either of those in my entire life and I doubt my pride would let me.

“Enough, Catarina” he attempted to sound firm though I could hear the waver in his voice “they want to meet with us tomorrow before we leave for New Orleans, Enzio wants to see if Santos approves of the match and if so it will proceed from there. I suggest you get some rest” he held a tone of indifference but the lingering in his eyes of sadness gave him away before quickly leaving the room. Leaving me ready to break down to my aunt.